As difficult as it may be to come to grips with, the odds of winning the $550 million Powerball jackpot (roughly $368 million after taxes) are just not in your favor. The chances of your numbers being drawn are a 176 million to one long shot. In the long run you'd be far better off investing the money spent on that ticket anywhere else, even a sandwich. Because otherwise you're just throwing it away.

This post was originally published in March and is being reprinted now, with some slight…
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But what if you did win? While the odds are slim, there's still the definite chance you could walk away with a half billion dollar windfall. So it's not entirely foolish to properly plan what you'd do with that money, right? And if you're stumped, here's the opulent gear we think would make for some great first impulse buys.

It seems the first thing everyone buys when they experience a windfall like winning the lottery is a new car. So why not follow suit? Sports car enthusiasts might have been sad when it dethroned the McLaren F1, but it's hard to deny the Bugatti Veyron's position as the greatest street legal performance car ever built. $2,400,000

Winning hundreds of millions of dollars is bound to put you in the public spotlight. So make sure you look your best with plenty of exercise on UBC's gorgeous carbon fiber fixie. It's lightweight, uncomplicated, and uses a belt drive system instead of a chain so it won't shred your equally expensive workout gear. $32,500

With 36 complications made from 1,483 components squeezed inside its case, it's no wonder what's billed as the world's most complicated watch is also the most expensive. Sure, it's got a jewel or two on the face to boost the bottom line, but this stylish accessory is as much about its functionality as it is about fashion. $2,400,000

And while you're showing off your ostentatious watch, your millionaire groupies will also notice your exquisite taste in overpriced cufflinks. This set is actually made from recycled AK-47s with part of the proceeds going to buying up rifles so they don't fall into the wrong hands. Heartwarming. $32,000

With no need to work and enough money to pay people to be responsible for you, you can finally make that cross-country trek you dreamed about. And this opulent motor coach will serve as your mansion on wheels. You don't even have to rent a car where you're going because it includes a built-in garage for your luxury ride. $1,900,000+

Nothing impresses your friends more than a kick-ass home stereo. Particularly if your friends are audiophiles, since there's a good chance they're the only ones who'll be able to distinguish the improved sound quality from these. And as a bonus, their solid aluminum housing should withstand a nuclear blast. That's a big selling point. $500,000 each

With only 300 ever made these headphones now sell for almost twice their original price tag. But ask any audiophile and they'll tell you they're absolutely worth every penny. The included and required tube amplifier also looks like a retro sci-fi film prop, and can actually power two pairs of headphones so you don't have to listen alone. $15,000+

Who cares if you don't know the difference between aperture and shutter priority modes? With an expensive camera around your neck you're guaranteed that every photo you take is a potential Pulitzer Prize winner. And if anyone questions your photography prowess, just brag about your 60 MP sensor. $41,000+

But since it doesn't do video, you'll need to get yourself a separate device for making movies of your kids. RED's Epic can capture all their hijinx in glorious 4K, so you can see every last tear when you explain why they're only getting 10 ponies this Christmas. Just make sure you learn to hold it right so your clips aren't in portrait mode. $47,000

But what's an awesome camera without an even awesomer lens? This massive 132 pound Leica was a one-off custom order for a Qatari prince who hauls it around in a custom Mercedes Benz. So you'll probably want to hire a couple of assistants to hold it while you artfully photograph your next dinner. $2,064,500

Victorinox 1TB USB Flash Drive

A flash drive? As a luxury item? We're as surprised as you are but Victorinox, the maker of the original Swiss Army Knife, have promised a pocket-friendly drive with an entire terabyte of storage on board. That's right, a thousand gigabytes that could potentially accidentally slip out of your pocket and be lost forever. $3,000

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That's about $9,435,000 worth of gear, still leaving a whopping $358,565,000 to spend. So help us blow the rest by sharing your suggestions in the discussion below. And remember, nothing is too expensive—as long as it's under half a billion dollars.